EC directs preparation of polling officials panel by Oct 30

The Election Commission (EC) has instructed all district election offices to prepare a panel of polling officials, including presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers, ahead of the upcoming 13th national election.

According to an official letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossen, the panels must be finalised and reported to the EC Secretariat by October 30.

District election officials have been directed to follow the guidelines set out in the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (RPO) when preparing the panels. The letter clearly states that individuals with questionable skills or impartiality, as well as those affiliated with any political party, must not be included.

Priority should be given to candidates who demonstrate competence, honesty, integrity, and neutrality, the letter emphasised.

Additionally, the EC has instructed that a sufficient number of women be included in the panel to ensure the appointment of female assistant presiding officers and polling officers, particularly for women-only polling centres.

Besides the panel for polling officials, the letter also noted that a separate panel will be prepared in line with further decisions from the Election Commission.